General Rules & Regulations
In the Elementary, Junior, and Team Divisions, no more than three students may enter a project together. In the Senior Division, only one student per project.
Elementary: The elementary division includes grades 3-5. In this division the projects are not divided into categories. Each elementary school may submit first, second and third place winners plus three honorable mentions in this division. These may include all from one grade, or any combination for a total of 6 projects.
Junior projects: The junior division includes grades 6-8. In the junior division the categories include Biological Science, Earth or Environmental Science, Physical Science, and Technology/Engineering. First, second and third place winners from each category are eligible for registration in the regional.
Senior projects: The senior division includes grades 9-12. In the senior division the categories include Biological Science, Earth or Environmental Science, Physical Science, and Technology/Engineering. First, second and third place winners from each category are eligible for registration in the regional. In the event that an individual high school student does not have a local fair available to enter, they may enter their project directly into the regional fair.
Team projects: A Team Project consists of two or three high school students working together on the same project. Only one Team Project from our region will advance to the State Science Fair.
Maximum number of entries per school:
Elementary school: 6 entries
Middle school: 12 entries
High school: 12 individual entries plus one team project.
Regulations about what to bring and do at the Regional. Projects that fail to meet these requirements will be disqualified!
Students are NOT to bring their experiments with them to the fair. You should take pictures of your apparatus and include them on your display or in your notebook. The only exception to this rule is in the Technology/Engineering category. No gas or running water can be supplied. Dangerous chemicals, open flame, and explosives will not be accepted in exhibits.
Experimental procedures with animals, which involve discomfort, pain or death, or diets deficient in essential nutrients, will be disqualified. No live animals or plants should be brought to the fair.
Projects must be within the following limits when set up for judging and students must provide their own display board for presentation.
30 in. (76 cm) deep, front to back
48 in. (122 cm) wide, side to side
108 in. (274 cm) high, floor to top including the table -- table height is ~30”
Check Lists
Elementary & Junior Divisions (grades 3-8):
1. Complete North Carolina Elementary and Middle School Science Fairs Scientific Review Committee (SRC) Research Plan & Approval Form prior to beginning project and bring completed form to science fair with participant.
2. Complete application online
Senior Divison (grades 9-12):
1. ISEF Checklist for Adult Sponsor/Safety Assessment Form (1)
2. ISEF Student Checklist and Research Plan Form (1A)
3. ISEF Approval Form (1B)
4. Abstract and any other required forms (use Rules Wizard link)
5.Complete application online
(Copies of all above forms are to be completed and brought to fair with participant.)